Sweetwater Creek State Park

Just to the west of Atlanta lies Sweetwater Creek State Park.  A natural, historical, and cultural conservation area that boasts a long and storied history; the ruins of which can still be seen in the state park.

After being told my dog Max and I had to be out of the apartment for 8 hours while they fixed my tub I decided it was the perfect time to go on a little exploratory hiking adventure through the Georgia wilderness.  So we packed a lunch and hit the road to Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Autumn in the North Georgia Mountains

You may remember that recently I was visited by my grandparents as part of a stop on a road trip up to the mountains to see some fall colors and scenery. Well, last week I was visited by my parents also looking to spy some fall color and partake in various traditional fall festivities.

 You may be noticing a pattern here.

 Well, let me tell you, for people from Florida, in order to be aware that fall exists outside of a slightly less hot pumpkin flavored summer that is punctuated by children sweating through costumes you actually have to leave the state. 

So onward they come to the Great White North of Georgia!

Arabia Mountain: Climb to the Top

After having such a nice day in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area the day before, we decided to return and do the mountain top trail this time. It's not a very far hike and consists of an interesting granite terrain marked by these rock cairns that lead you along the trail.

Arabia Mountain

This week my grandparents visited me as they were passing through Georgia on their way up to the mountains to get in a little fall color and scenery not easily found in Florida.

Eschewing the more tourist route of Stone Mountain, we decided to head about 30 minutes southwest of the city to the Arabia Mountain National Historic Area. The historic area consists of several natural and historical points of interest near Lithonia that include a Monastery, mill ruins, and more than a few historic farms, houses and homesteads, amongst other things, all connected by a series of Atlanta's PATH bike, skate and walking friendly trails.

We ended up at the Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve and walked up the yellow trail to Arabia Lake.

Dahlonega and The Foothills

After a first two hot and polluted days in Atlanta we decided to head north a little ways towards the mountains. Specifically, the little town of Dahlonega and The Foothills Scenic Byway.